Medicare AdvantageBilling CodesMedium impact
Initial annual wellness examination for BlueCHiP for Medicare members
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +1 more·Physician / Facility
Effective date
Oct 1, 2019
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
BlueCHiP for Medicare members should not have depression screening (G0444) billed with initial annual wellness visits (G0438) as it's already included. G0444 can only be billed separately with subsequent wellness visits (G0439).
Action Required
Immediately: Update billing system to prevent G0444 (depression screening) from being billed on same date as G0438 (initial wellness visit) for BlueCHiP Medicare members. Train billing team that G0444 is included in G0438. Only allow G0444 billing with G0439 (subsequent wellness visits). Update encounter forms to reflect this restriction.